DHAKA: The High Court on Sunday (January 29) sentenced that three Indian channels -- Star Jalsha, Star Plus, and Z-Bangla -- will be broadcasted in Bangladesh.

An HC bench comprising Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Justice JBM Hassan declared the verdict dismissing the writ petition of banning those three Indian channels at noon.

Earlier on January 25, the Court fixed January 29 as the date to deliver the verdict upon the completion of hearing on the writ petition.

The petitioner, Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan moved in favor of the ruling while lawyer Abdul Matin Khasru defended the DG Jadu broadband Ltd, Star Jalsha and Star Plus provider in Bangladesh and Barrister Shamsul Hasan defended the Nationwide media Ltd, Z-Bangla provider in Bangladesh form January 8.

Attorney General Motahar Hossain Saju moved for the State.

In 2014, several Bangladeshi girls reportedly had committed suicide after not being able to buy a dress, Pakhi, which was popularized by the Star Jalsha TV series, Bojhena Se Bojhena.

In August 2014, lawyer Syeda Shahin Ara Laily filed a writ petition with the branch of HC regarding the issue while an HC bench comprising Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman dismissed the petition as ‘rejected it as being not pressed’.

However, a new petition was again filed on October 19, 2014. After the hearing, the HC issued the rule asking authorities concerned why it should not be directed to ban those three TV channels in Bangladesh.

In 2014, petitioner Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan made the argument saying although many Indian channels are being broadcasted in Bangladesh, no Bangladeshi channels are being aired in India.

“Unrestricted broadcast of Indian channels had caused national channels to lose viewers. Our country is losing its own cultural identity which is creating an adverse impact on our children,” he added.

BDST: 1408 HRS, JAN 29, 2017
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